Giving to the Church / Giving to Teachers

So it's easy to dismiss the teaching and community at Ignite as not part of the Church.

And, as a result, to not give cheerfully as part of worship.

However, thinking this way would put limits on what the Church really is and has the potential to be.

I encourage you to think more deeply about what our community here at Ignite is doing for you and for others in terms of building the Kingdom, both within and without, and how you can support it.

The problem with seeing Ignite as separate from the Church is that it justifies not giving to teachers like us. When the tithe only goes to a formal church (and, to be clear, we should give to the local church if we are a part of one), we limit the true power of Christ's Church.

Giving to Ignite is just as important as giving to a traditional brick-and-mortar church, to a missionary, or to your favorite non-profit organization.

Without support, we cannot continue to provide content, pay for for infrastructure, and invest to grow our community.

To find out more on how to support us with easy, automated, monthly giving, click below, or keep reading further.

The parable of the talents is often quoted, and often subject to misinterpretation.

There may not be one, single interpretation. But I think looking at the verse helps frame what God intends for us.

And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 

— Matthew 25:22-23

The verse is not explicitly about our own talents (meaning, our "skills"). It is also not about our prowess at investing in the stock market and getting a good return.

It's about taking what God has presented to us, a little or a lot, and increasing for the Kingdom.

It is possible for us to spend money on things that do not grow the Kingdom. And that doesn't just mean frivolous expenses.

It can also mean expenses on things that appear religious and for God, but that do not actually further his Kingdom.

Now, what it means to "further his Kingdom" depends on your own interpretation. But I believe there are two primary areas.

The first is enabling believers to mature in Christ, become more like him, and be further set apart from the world to draw people to God.

The second is actually harvesting the field of non-believers to experience God's sovereign grace and follow Christ.

Both expand the Kingdom.

Sharing a tithe between a traditional church and an emerging online/teaching community allows us to grow without putting it somewhere more traditional and "safe."

Here's what Scripture says:

“Then the man with the $1,000 came and said, ‘Sir, I knew you were a hard man, and I was afraid you would rob me of what I earned, so I hid your money in the earth and here it is!’

— Matthew 25:24-25

The man feared the loss, and played it safe by hiding it.

Here's what the master then says:

“‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.’

As you evaluate how you give, I want to encourage you to open to the possibility of new ways Kingdom workers, like myself, are expanding the Kingdom.

We still rely on the key components found in traditional church: teaching and gathering in community.

Scripture describes these two ingredients as part of any growing in faith and numbers of believers.

But look at the fruit and effectiveness.

And plant wisely.

To find out more click to learn how to support and, as always, feel free to ask questions in the community!